Tanya Aldred's report
With a bound down the pitch, and a slammed six into the pavilion, Sam Curran had what Tiggers like best – his first hundred in senior cricket, seven years and 120 first-class innings after his debut. He leapt once, twice, rabble-roused his bat towards the dressing-room, kissed his helmet and grinned.
There was time to smash 19 runs off one over from Jacob Duffy before he was bowled by George Linde for 126. Surrey eventually declared on 673 for seven, once Will Jacks had collected the fourth century of the innings – the first time that had happened since 1947. Curran then bowled 2022 run machine Ben Compton in the fourth over, but Kent rebuilt thanks to a half-century from Daniel Bell-Drummond.
In a see-saw game at Chelmsford, Simon Harmer took eight for 46 – the best figures in the 2022 Championship - and then shovelled 61 to plonk Essex into a strong position. But it didn’t go all their way; Liam Dawson took seven for 38 before Felix Organ spanked Harmer for three sixes as Hampshire chased 299.
Sussex’s tricky season continued as Anuj Dal (146no) and Mark Watt jollied Derbyshire past 500 and onto a declaration. Sam Conners removed both openers but Tom Alsop and Mohammad Rizwan (54no) provided some stoicism.
Rain made batting difficult at Wantage Road; while Lancashire still trail Gloucestershire, despite 94 from Keaton Jennings. Mark Stoneman was the only batter to thrive in Middlesex’s reply to Nottinghamshire’s 551-8 declared, which included a century for Lyndon James.
Thirteen wickets fell at New Road as Glamorgan were skittled for 139, Joe Leach taking six for 44, before Worcestershire finished the day on 147 for six, a lead of 279.
Updated
Time for me to run for my train north - thanks for all the messages and comments, see you tomorrow!
